Osa

[DD214_DOC]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Time for a serious question.

My family doc thinks I probably have OSA (I've known for years I probably do) and it's just now becoming obvious how much it is affecting my concentration/learning abilities. I'm in the process of trying to schedule a sleep study around classes/exams, hopefully I can get in within the next couple weeks.

Anyway, does having OSA pose any problems to someone already in the HPSP program? I don't know the severity of it and whether or not the treatment will be one of those PAP things or something more "permanent" such as a UPPP or BSSO, or whatever else they may decide to do.

Since I'm already in, does it matter? I would actually like to STAY in the military, so should I keep it all hush hush as long as I can? Does it not really matter? (I don't know the DQ conditions, although I don't know why it would be one anyway)

Probably a stupid question but I just want to make sure.

 

[USAFGMODOC]

But, for the USAF, OSA may be a non-worldwide deployable condition if you require CPAP, again I don't know how the Army approaches this condition...

For a residency trained doc, it probably doesn't mean alot to have this condition, but it may eliminate you for Flight Surgeon duties (would need a waiver for this condition).....

But first, you need to get a diagnosis of OSA and sleep studies are somewhat expensive, hopefully you have good insurance....

Good luck

 

[DD214_DOC]

I'm Army.

Luckily my insurance covers sleep studies, as long as I have a referral from a PCP.

 

[R-Me-Doc]

Time for a serious question.

My family doc thinks I probably have OSA (I've known for years I probably do) and it's just now becoming obvious how much it is affecting my concentration/learning abilities. I'm in the process of trying to schedule a sleep study around classes/exams, hopefully I can get in within the next couple weeks.

Anyway, does having OSA pose any problems to someone already in the HPSP program? I don't know the severity of it and whether or not the treatment will be one of those PAP things or something more "permanent" such as a UPPP or BSSO, or whatever else they may decide to do.

Since I'm already in, does it matter? I would actually like to STAY in the military, so should I keep it all hush hush as long as I can? Does it not really matter? (I don't know the DQ conditions, although I don't know why it would be one anyway)

Probably a stupid question but I just want to make sure.

The OSA story is kind of complex. In the Army at least, it is a boardable condition per AR40-501. Technically, following diagnosis, you are given a one-year "grace period" during which time you can use CPAP, and simultaneously attempt to get it controlled by "other methods," i.e, weight loss and surgery. If you do all that and still need CPAP at the end of a year, you are required to undergo a med board, since the use of CPAP technically makes you non-world-wide deployable (tough to use CPAP where there's no electricity . . .).

That being said, over my time in the service, I saw this swing back and forth pretty wildly. Pre-9/11, many people who were boarded stayed in, but were just stuck into non-deploying jobs. After the Afghanistan/Iraq deployments started and the Army needed everyone to be "100% deployable," they started booting everyone out, because they couldn't haul around CPAP. Then, once they realized how many experienced people they were losing (you'd be stunned how many senior NCO's and mid-grade officers have OSA), the pendulum swung the other way and as of the time I got out it was getting less commoon for OSA to be a virtually "automatic" discharge. And yes, I have known people who have deployed to Iraq with their CPAP's in hand. Whether that's a good idea is highly debatable, but it does happen.

Now, of course, since you are a physician-to-be and presumably have a pulse, probably none of this pertains to you, and if you ever do get to a med board, you will probably be found fit for duty (I've boarded a couple of docs for this and they all came back as "FFD"). Just make sure you have every single page of relevant documentation on hand for when the military wants it.

Good luck
X-RMD

 

[DD214_DOC]

Once I receive a dx, am I required to immediately report it? What happens if I don't?

 

[R-Me-Doc]

Once I receive a dx, am I required to immediately report it? What happens if I don't?

When I was in HPSP, they sent me some form every year asking if there had been any changes in my health. Presumably while you are still in HPSP you'd report it then. If you try to keep it hush-hush, well, all I can say is you are taking some chances. Think about it. I really can't tell you for sure what they will do with you, other than it is probably more likely that they would medically separate you now rather than after they've spent another zillion dollars on you finishing med school + residency. And if they separate you now, it would be "at the military's discretion" so you wouldn't have to worry about paying back whatever $$ they've spent on you so far.

I know you said you want to stay in, so PLEASE don't do something that will "look bad," later on, like keeping this under wraps until it's time to come on active duty or right before you are getting deployed. Then it a) it will look like you are just trying to weasel out of things and b) you may actually get in some serious trouble for not disclosing it earlier.

 

[DD214_DOC]

Well, that sucks.

Is OSA a DQ for the Navy as well? I guess if the Army gives me the boot I could always try another branch.

Another big worry is that I really can't pay for school/life without the scholarship.

 

[West Side]

Sorry to hear about the condition.

Is there an Air Force equivalent to AR 40-501? I googled "Standards of Medical Fitness" and "Air Force" but came up with nada. I'm really busy today to do much more research, can anyone help?

 

[DD214_DOC]

Thanks for the link. I checked out AR40-501 and it seems a lot depends upon the severity and what treatment(s) I'm willing to go through. I think if it comes to a MEB, I should be ok as I don't believe mine is too severe and is probably surgically correctable.

I guess I will find out.